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Record-Breaking Dolomites Expedition

Supporting a record breaking attempt to link all 86 peaks over 3,000m in the Dolomites in a single continuous effort.

The objective - Supporting 86 Dolomites: A record breaking feat of endurance

Luca Fois aimed to be the first climber to link all 86 peaks within a single season and intended to do so in just 86 days if conditions allowed. The record at the time was 19 years.

Charting change - A shifting environment

86 Dolomites was backed by the National Alpine Association as part of a joint effort to document the morphological, biological and environmental conditions of the mountains, in order to provide valuable data for the Dolomites' preservation. It is hoped that this data will help conserve the natural and cultural heritage of Italy's mountains for future generations.

“The Dolomites are breaking apart. And it’s not just time passing. I’ve seen glaciers retreat, trails collapse, and once-stable rock become unpredictable. This isn’t evolution — it’s collapse accelerated. The Dolomites are changing before my eyes. But the world is looking elsewhere.” - Luca Fois | Italian Special Forces Operator

A military heritage endeavour - With former Italian Special Forces

Luca was a former Italian Special Forces operative turned endurance athlete and brings all of his military experience to the fore in planning, preparing and conducting his record breaking challenge. Luca is supported by a three person team with military and expedition expertise including Giuseppe Obinu, Emanuele Chessa and Michael Turconi.

“Too many people go up without knowing how to come down. And the mountains don’t forgive. This year, mountain deaths in Italy are at a record high. It’s not bad luck. It’s lack of preparation.” - Luca Fois | Italian Special Forces Operator

Read Luca's account (dated 5th August):

After more than a month on the move, I’ve now reached 43 of the 86 Dolomite peaks over 3000 meters.

This project is not just about summits — it’s about endurance, adaptation, and confronting a mountain range that is visibly changing.In July alone, I witnessed fresh snowfall, heatwaves, and massive rockfalls. The Dolomites are shifting: glaciers are retreating fast, permafrost is melting, and once-stable ridges are collapsing.

Every step is a reminder that what I’m seeing today might not be here tomorrow. Beyond the climbs, the expedition runs on invisible logistics: fuel, water, food, batteries, data. My team rotates constantly — someone climbs with me, someone prepares the camp, someone handles comms and resupply.

Nothing happens by chance. Coming from special forces, I know how crucial trust and preparation are. But here, in the silence of the mountains, resilience takes on a different shape — quieter, longer, more personal.And in the cold, the wet, and the fatigue, one thing never lies: your equipment.

That’s why I’ve trusted ThruDark to protect me from the elements, every day, every summit.

We’ve been making intensive use of the gear — not only myself, but also the rest of the team. I already knew the quality, having used it in the past, but this expedition has pushed everything to the limit.

Luca has been testing the following from our Mountain Pro range:

Mountain Pro Waterproof Jacket

"The Mountain Pro Waterproof Jacket has performed extremely well in a variety of conditions. I’ve worn it both with multiple layers underneath and simply over the polo (base layer). It adapts well, offers reliable protection, and remains breathable even during extended climbs." - Luca Fois | Italian Special Forces Operator

Mountain Pro Technical Mid Layer

"Worked brilliantly during the early stages of the expedition, especially when more protection was needed. In moderate to cool temperatures, it performed very well." - Luca Fois | Italian Special Forces Operator

Mountain Pro Technical Trousers

"The Mountain Pro Technical Trousers are excellent for climbing. They offer freedom of movement, durability, and no friction issues." - Luca Fois | Italian Special Forces Operator

Mountain Pro Fusion Mid Layer

"The Mountain Pro Fusion Mid Layer turned out to be one of the most versatile pieces. I used it during high-output days in glacial environments — particularly on the Marmolada traverse. It kept me warm without overheating during 8–10 hours of movement, including climbing, traversing, and crampon use at altitude. It’s an ideal balance between a fleece and a full puffer, perfect for technical, high-intensity missions." - Luca Fois | Italian Special Forces Operator

On 21st August, Luca called time on his "86 Dolomites" challenge, having summited more of the peaks in a quicker time than anyone before him setting a new record in the attempt. After 53 days, Luca had climbed 60 of the 86 peaks but ended the challenge in order to preserve his health. As a true professional, Luca recognised the importance of living to fight another day. The challenge had seen him walk over 500km with over 54,000m of elevation gain - the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest six times over. This 307 hours of climbing in total had burned roughly 210,000 calories, like running 80 consecutive marathons. Some truly staggering numbers to cap off a truly staggering "Endeavour Through Adversity". Luca's focus is now on recovery and spending time with his family before returning to complete the 86 peaks in the future.


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